The Press., 1887-06-23

cided. The questions that had been agi- tated the year before were again opened for discussion. The contest of 1884 was aoain renewed. both as to the title and az 10 the wisdom of maintaining an agricui- tural school, but with better result.
 The annual appropriation was again rnnde. and the matter submitted to anoth- CT special commission, under the following resolution :.
 Resolved by this Assembly-That 8 com mission composed of one senator and four representatives, to be elected by ballot in their respective houses, shall be appointed to ascer- tain whether full title of the Storrs Agricul- tural School can be acquired by gift if not, aA what price such title can be acquired by purchase, and in the latter case, if the price is deemed unreasonable by said committee, then said committee to ascertain whether some other property suitable for state agrl- culSural school situated in Holland county can be secured at reasonable price. Which said commission shall report fully to the next general assembly with it's recommendations Tn the premises"
 It will be observed that the inquiry had narrowed. While the whole subject of an agricultural school was submitted to the commission of 1884, the commission of 1885 were limited in their powers, and were instructed simply to see if full title could be obtained to the Storrs property, and ii it could not. they were instructed to find some other locality for the school in Tol land county.
 A step forward had been taken. The legislature of 1885 decided what the com mission of 1884 failed to determine, and that was, that an agricultural school should be maintained Mansfield if good title to the property could be acquired, and Ii not. then somewhere in Holland county. Much had been gained, and the only ap- parent obstacle in the way of placing the school on 8 permanent basis was the pos sible reversion to MT. Storrs.
 To the first official communication sent him by the commission of 1885, MT. Storrs promptly replied that he would give the state new deed of the property, without any restrictions or conditions whatever.
 But our troubles were not over, for the commission upon making further exami- nation found another, and what they thought. was 8 fatal defect in the title, and therefore reported to the general as- sembly of 1886, in favor of abandoning the Storrs property, and locating the school elsewhere.
 
 commission had discovered was not mat ter of SO great consequence as they thought. Whether or not there was any defect, and if NO. what the defect was, was question upon whichEeminent lawyers differed, and consequently, the first step to satisfactory m9imstment of the matter was to procure from the higher court in the state an ad indication as to the state of the title. This Mr, Storrs at once offered to do at his own expense, and the general assembly of 1886 wisely determined to wait another year be- fore abandoning the property to see if the title COula not be perfected.
 The case was taken to the supreme court, and the court having found defect, pointed out the method by which it could be cured, and MT. Storrs with Mrs. Whit ney, to whom be all honor, caused the title tO be made perfect.
 Thus the matter came to the general as- Helnbly of 1887, and an appropriation was asked for to make the Improvements which ought to have been made three years ago, but which had necessarily been postponed for the reasons which have given. The appropriation has now been made. A lab oratory and a new barn will be built and ready for use the coming fall, and the school, believe, having overcome the
 
 progress but threatened it's very existence for the past three years, is now about to enter upon a career of prosperity and use- fitness which will justify the hopes and realize the aspirations of it's friends, and make it an honor to the state.
 In conclusion, permit me to say that, in my judgment, the result will prove to be great blessing to the state and to the farm CTS of the state.
 An agricultural school means to the farmers of the state-not so much to the present generation that is passing off the stage as to the generation that is coming on-more than the casual observer thinks. It means to them an opportunity to ac- Quire a knowledge of the science of agri- culture by which they may be enabled to make and maintain for themselves intelli- gent and thrifty homes on the hillsides and in the valleys of this good old state. An agricultural school means to the state productive farms and intelligent and con- tented farmers it means class of citizens whose interest in and love for the soil will make them thinking and conservative voters, upon whom the state can safely re- ly for protection against the follies and fanaticisms which sooner or later will at- tempt to control our government. With hold from the people the chance to ac- quire that scientific knowledge of agricul- ture without which they cannot till to profit the stubborn and weary soil of Con- necticut. and it means deserted farms, decreasing country population, and do not hesitate to say, gradual extinction of that sturdy country stock from which has come so often the power of brain and nerve and will, which has carried Connec- ticut to the front among her sister states.
 Then let us bend our energies to the task, let us be zealous, vigilant and wise, to the end, that this institution founded by the generosity of the Storrs brothers, and fostered by the loving care of the state, shall send forth among the people al practical knowledge of the science of agri- culture which will cause the fields of our good old commonwealth to yield up a generous and profitable harvest to the contented and honorable tillers of her soil.
 Connecticut people who are interested in the New England Sunday School assem- hly ct Lake View, Birmingham, Mass.